VanBooks vs FreeAgent
Both keep your records and work with Making Tax Digital. The difference is who they're built for: FreeAgent serves freelancers and small businesses, while VanBooks is made for tradespeople doing the books from the van.
| VanBooks | FreeAgent | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £9 a month | £19 a month for sole traders (plus VAT), or free with a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank or Mettle business account |
| To start | First month free, no card needed | Free while you bank with NatWest Group; otherwise 50% off for six months |
| Making Tax Digital for Income Tax | Yes | Yes |
| VAT returns | Yes | Yes |
| Built for | UK tradespeople and sole traders | Freelancers and small businesses |
FreeAgent prices are from their UK website as of October 2026, before VAT, and offers change. Check their site before you decide.
Why tradespeople choose VanBooks
- Say the job out loud in the van: the invoice, costs and miles are drafted for you
- Invoices and quotes sent by WhatsApp, with seen ticks and automatic reminders for late payers
- CIS worked out on labour, not materials, and the construction VAT reverse charge
- Mileage worked out from postcodes or what you say
- A diary, job profit, repeat invoices and due-again reminders for services
- How much to put aside after every payment
When FreeAgent might suit you better
- You already bank with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle, so it's free
- You want a bank feed built in
- You run a limited company
Try VanBooks free for a month
No card needed. Then £9 a month, cancel any time.
Also compare: VanBooks vs QuickBooks · VanBooks vs Xero